A woman from Michigan, Tyeshia Damita Minor, who allegedly set a deadly fire revealed to officials that she was attempting to exorcise demons, according to officials, Newsweek reports. The 39-year-old reportedly set fire to a two-apartment home’s outdoor stairwell back in June 2022. Sadly, the fire caused the death of 64-year-old Charles James, who resided in the upstairs apartment.
On Jan. 10, detectives of Grand Rapids attested in court that the woman said during an interview that she was attempting to exorcise demons, reports MLive.
Newsweek reports,
“Minor was ordered to stand trial on charges of first-degree arson and felony murder.”
When the fire initially started Charles James and Tyrone Jones, 49, were in the apartment. Reports say that they both knew Minor. Jones has previously given the woman money from time to time while Jones would let her shower at his apartment, reports MLive. During the fire, both men attempted to escape through the bathroom window. Jones managed to jump out and thought James would also jump, yet, he didn’t and was later declared dead. According to a medical examiner, James’
“cause of death was inhalation of toxic smoke.”
When the woman was initially taken into custody, she denied setting the fire. In another interview, she claimed to have utilized a lighter to set ablaze a cigarette carton outside of James’ apartment.
Susan Lock, a resident who resided in the apartment downstairs said she heard sounds of someone running down the stairs promoting her to look out if the window. She testified that she witnessed the suspect at the bottom of the staircase as well as the fire. Lock said
“The stairs were engulfed in flames.”
Minor’s attorney said there’s no efficient evidence that links her to the cause of the fire.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
